Apparatus for effecting the rapid filling of containers with liquid

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for filling containers, such as bottles, which has a liquid filling pipe for insertion into the container to near the bottom thereof and a seal for sealing the pipe to the container. Gas is supplied to the inside of the container, and when a predetermined pressure is reached inside the container, liquid flow commences into the container through the fill pipe. Gas is released from the container in a first lower rate when liquid flow is initiated and, thereafter, when the lower end of the fill pipe is immersed in the liquid, the release of gas from the container takes place at an increased rate thereby providing for rapid filling of the container.

Uth et al.

[ June 3, 1975 APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE RAPID FILLING OF CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID [75] Inventors: Gerhard Uth; Alfred Rentel, both of Bad Kreuznach, Germany [73] Assignee: Seitz-Werke G.m.b.H., Bad

[22] Filed:

Kreuznach, Germany July 10, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 378,035

Foreign Application Priority Data July 12, 1972 Germany 2234120 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Breeback 141/303 Grosbois 141/303 3,037,536 6/1962 Fechheimer et al. 141/7 3,056,436 10/1962 Fechheimer et al. 141/59 3,415,295 12/1968 Wolf 141/46 3,463,203 8/1969 Wolf 141/46 Primary ExaminerI-louston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmWalter Becker [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for filling containers, such as bottles, which has a liquid filling pipe for insertion into the container to near the bottom thereof and a seal for sealing the pipe to the container. Gas is supplied to the inside of the container, and when a predetermined pressure is reached inside the container,- liquid flow commences into the container through the fill pipe. Gas is released from the container in a first lower rate when liquid flow is initiated and, thereafter, when the lower end of the fill pipe is immersed in the liquid, the release of gas from the container takes place at an increased rate thereby providing for rapid filling of the container.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE RAPID FILLING OF CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID The present invention relates to a filling element with a long filling pipe, vessel relief and separated liquid, tension and return gas passages for circulating counter pressure vessel filling machines with each a separate liquid and tensioning gas chamber as well as a return gas chamber communicating with the atmosphere. For the counter pressure vessel filling machines of the above mentioned type, it is known according to German Offenlegungsschrift 1,532,578 to employ filling elements with a long filling pipe, vessel relief and separate liquid, tension and return gas passages. The tensioning gas passage which is adapted by valve means to be closed and opened leads through a cutout of the filling pipe disc into the vessel to be filled, while the return gas passage in the gas flow direction comprises a passage which extends along the filling pipe to a selfclosing ball valve with a cutout at the vessel side and with a conduit continuing the passage to the return gas chamber. Said last mentioned conduit leads through the shutoff valve and is provided with an intermediate throttle. During the filling operation, the return gas flows through the opened shutoff valve and the throttle into the return gas chamber which is open to the atmosphere. The pressure relief preceding the outlet or escape from the filled vessel is effected by again actuating the shutoff valve or a separate relief valve to the atmosphere.

For purposes of accelerated complete filling of the vessels by setting the return gas pressure to the tension gas pressure at the start of filling and the subsequent reduction in the return gas pressure, it has been suggested according to German Offenlegungsschrift l,482,6 l 9 in connection with multi-chamber filling elements, in the return gas passage behind the self-closing ball valve to branch off a branch conduit from the main return gas conduit which serves for returning the gas. The said return main gas conduit is provided with an intermediate valve and subsequent throttle and is connected to a return gas chamber which communicates with the atmosphere.

It is an object of the present invention when filling elements of the above mentioned general type further to increase the filling work per time unit.

It is another object of this invention with an arrangement as set forth in the preceding paragraph to eliminate the oxygen absorption of the filling material, especially beer, to a major extent in spite of the high filling output, and in particular with highly carbonated beverages to obtain uniform filling level in the vessels. The possibility of realizing the above mentioned objects is in conformity with the present invention seen in the improvement of the pressure relief of the filled vessels, which pressure relief was heretofore neglected with the known filling elements. This pressure relief was customarily effected only after blocking or turning off the liquid and return gas passage by shortly opening the relief valve to the atmosphere one or a plurality of times and after the filling operation has been completed carrying out one or more control steps with the filling circulation and by additional controlling devices.

The above mentioned object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates in section a threechamber counter pressure filling element.

FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively illustrate a detail of the filling element.

In order to realize the objects outlined above with the above mentioned filling elements, which are intended for the above mentioned counter pressure vessel filling machines and which comprise a valve controlled tension gas passage leading through a cutout of the filling pipe disc into the vessel to be filled while the return gas passage in the gas direction comprises a passage extending along the filling pipe to a self-closing ball valve, said last mentioned passage being provided with a cutout at the vessel side and a main conduit which continues the passage to the return gas chamber and has interposed therein a return gas valve with subsequent throttle and a conduit branching off from the selfclosing valve, it is suggested according to the present invention that the branch conduit is provided with a throttle and is connected to the return gas chamber or is returned between the throttle and return gas chamber arranged in the return gas main conduit. It is furthermore suggested according to the invention that a valve controlled conduit establishes communication between the tension gas and the return gas passage which passages on one hand are connected to the tension gas conduit between the tension gas valve and the conduit end at the vessel side, and on the other hand is connected to the return gas main conduit in or after the branch-off point. In this way, with three-chamber filling elements, for the first time a relief is obtained which drops with open connecting line of the vessel pressure through the tensioning and return gas line to the pressure in the return gas chamber connected to the atmosphere while no additional relief conduits are necessary. It is highly advantageous that the relief may be effected stepwise and in the first step occurs through the branch conduit provided with the interposed throttle and in the second stage occurs through the return gas main line equipped with the return gas valve and throttle, as soon as the return gas valve has been opened. In this way, the relief can be adapted to the respective type of beverage and may with slightly carbonated beverages be effected through the first stage, and with highly carbonated beverages may be effected in both stages while the time period for turning off the second stage can be freely selected in conformity with the filling conditions and the property of the respective beverage.

According to a further development of the stepwise relief just mentioned, it is suggested according to the invention that the throttle of the branch conduit has a shorter diameter than the throttle of the return gas main conduit. In this way, the relief will be initiated slowly and carried out at an accelerated return so that no push through occurs which causes the liquid to foam over and flow out of the vessel.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the filling element 10 is below the discharge opening 11 connected to the bottom of an annular liquid chamber 12 which pertains to a non-illustrated circulating filling machine. Combined with the chamber 12, expediently to a structural unit forming the machine upper portion, is a separate return gas chamber 14 open to the atmosphere through an opening 13, and a likewise separate tension gas chamber 15. Within a housing recess 16 flush with the opening 11, the element 10 has a liquid control valve with a valve seat 17 formed by a housing extension. A valve body 18, which is biased by a spring 19, rests on said valve seat 17. A downwardly extending filling pipe 21, which is provided with a disc 22 and protrudes from the element 10, is inserted into a bore 20 which continues the recess 16 below the valves 17, 18. For purposes of centering the vessel mouth, the free element end is conically widened, and the disc 22 which surrounds the filling pipe 21 with an annular gap 23 is intended for sealing the vessel mouth.

Arranged on the filling pipe 21 is a return gas passage 24 which extends along the wall of the filling pipe. This return gas passage 24 has a lateral cutout 25 in the form of an oblong opening (FIG. 3) and leads from the lower filling pipe end to a self-closing ball valve 26 arranged in the element housing 10.

The closure body of the valve 26 (FIG. 2) expediently consists of a solid ball 27 which rests on a protrusion 28 in the valve housing when said ball 27 occupies its opening position.

In the gas direction behind the valve 26, the return gas passage is continued by a main conduit 29 which is connected to the return gas chamber 14. A tappet valve 30 with subsequent throttle 31 is interposed in said main conduit 29. Conduit 32 branches off from the conduit 29 between the valves 26 and 30. This branch line 32 is likewise provided with a throttle 33 and is between the return gas chamber 14 and throttle 31 returned to the return gas main conduit 29. It is, of course, also possible to connect the branch line 32 directly to the chamber 14. The throttle 31 of conduit 29 has over the throttle 33 a greater diameter.

From the tension gas chamber 15, a conduit 34 provided with an interposed tappet valve 35 leads to free element ends and leads into the annular gap 23 of the filling pipe disc 22. An additional conduit 36 with control valve 37 establishes communication between the tension gas conduit 34 and the return gas main conduit 29 and is connected to the conduit 34 between the valve 35 and the mouth of the conduit on the vessel side while being connected to the conduit 29 behind the branch line 32. Valves 30, 35 and 37 are expediently arranged in one row and combined to a structural unit.

For purposes of effecting a filling operation, a vessel, for instance the bottle B illustrated in the drawing has its mouth pressed against the disc 22. For purposes of pre-tensioning, the valves 35 and 37 are opened while valve 30 is kept closed so that tensioning gas will flow through conduit 34 into the bottle B. At the same time, tensioning gas passes through conduit 29, the open valve 26, and the passage 24 into the bottle and empties this portion of the return gas passage from residual liquid. The tensioning gas which, during the tensioning operation flows through the branch conduit 32 into the return gas chamber 14, is in view of the passage width of the throttle 33 extremely small and yields the advantage that also this part of the upper return gas passage will be kept continuously clean.

When the tensioning gas pressure in the bottle B corresponds to the liquid pressure in the chamber 12, the

valves 35 and 37 are closed. Due to the effect of spring 19, the valve body 18 is lifted off its seat 17 and permits the liquid to flow through the filling pipe 21 freely into the bottle B. The tensioning gas which during this operation is displaced, passes through the cutout 25 into the passage 24 and through the likewise opened valve 26,

and the open section of the conduit 29 and branch conduit 32 passes into the return gas chamber 14. The throttle 33 will at the start of the filling operation determine the filling speed and in view of its narrow passage width will assure a quiet and bubble-free in-flow of the filling liquid. When the end of the filling pipe subsequently immerses into the filling liquid, valve 30 is opened and by means of the added return gas main conduit 29, the complete filling of the bottle will be carried out at an accelerated rate, while both throttles 31 and 33 will now determine the filling speed. The filling operation is completed as soon as the filling liquid reaches the filling pipe cutout 25, ascends in the passage 24 up to the valve 26 and by means of the closure body 27 lifted from the extension 28 blocks the conduit 29. The liquid valve body 18 is subsequently returned to its closing position. For the now necessary pressure relief of the filled bottles, the valve 37 is opened. In a first slow stage, the counter pressure of the bottle drops through the conduits 34, 36, 37 and throttle 33 and is relieved into the chamber 14. Over the same passage, the subsequent second relief stage is effected additionally through the main conduit 29 added through the opened valve 30 and through the throttle 31 into the chamber 14.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the specific showing in the drawing but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for filling containers, such as bottles, with liquid and comprising; a filling pipe adapted for insertion into the container from above to dispose the lower end of the pipe near the bottom of the container, a liquid supply chamber, means connecting said supply chamber to the upper end of said pipe, a chamber for gas under pressure, a gas relief chamber, a seal surrounding said pipe and adapted for sealingly engaging the mouth of a container when the pipe is inserted into the container, a first valve connected between said pressure gas chamber and the container side of said seal to communicate the gas pressure chamber with the container when the mouth of the container is engaged by said seal, a gas return passage leading from the lower end of said pipe upwardly and including a lateral opening near the top of the container, a main conduit connecting the upper end of said passage with said relief chamber and having a first flow restrictor therein, a check valve in said main conduit between said passage and said first restrictor, which opens away from said first flow restrictor, said check valve being normally open and closing in response to liquid flowing from the passage into said main conduit, a second valve connected in parallel with said first flow restrictor and having a second flow restrictor in series therewith, and a third valve connected between the side of said first valve which is remote from said gas pressure chamber and said main conduit between said check valve and said first flow restrictor.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first flow restrictor has a flow passage therethrough smaller in effective area than that through said second flow restrictor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first, second, and third valves form a structural unit within which said valves are serially arranged.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said .first, second, and third valves are adapted for being opened and closed selectively.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means connecting said liquid supply chamber with said pipe comprises a liquid passage having a valve therein which is open when the container is supplied with gas under pressure from said gas pressure chamber and which closes in the absence of pressure in said container.

6. In combination with a counter-pressure bottle filling machine; a liquid fill pipe adapted to be inserted into a bottle through the mouth thereof to a point near the bottom of the bottle, seal means to seal the inserted pipe to the mouth of the bottle, means for supplying gas under pressure through said seal means to the bottle, means for supplying liquid to the bottle via said pipe,

a main conduit leading from the bottle through said seal means, a first flow restrictor connecting said main conduit to the atmosphere, a second flow restrictor offering less resistance to fluid flow than said first restrictor and connected between said main conduit and the atmosphere, and an on-off valve in series with said second restrictor.

7. A bottle filling machine in combination according to claim 6 in which said means for supplying gas comprises a source of gas under pressure, a second conduit leading through said seal, a second on-off valve connecting said second conduit to said source, valve means responsive to a liquid reaching a predetermined level in the bottle for interrupting communication between the bottle and the main conduit, and a third on-off valve connecting said second conduit with the main conduit. l 

1. An apparatus for filling containers, such as bottles, with liquid and comprising; a filling pipe adapted for insertion into the container from above to dispose the lower end of the pipe near the bottom of the container, a liquid supply chamber, means connecting said supply chamber to the upper end of said pipe, a chamber for gas under pressure, a gas relief chamber, a seal surrounding said pipe and adapted for sealingly engaging the mouth of a container when the pipe is inserted into the container, a first valve connected between said pressure gas chamber and the container side of said seal to communicate the gas pressure chamber with the container when the mouth of the container is engaged by said seal, a gas return passage leading from the lower end of said pipe upwardly and including a lateral opening near the top of the container, a main conduit connecting the upper end of said passage with said relief chamber and having a first flow restrictor therein, a check valve in said main conduit between said passage and said first restrictor, which opens away from said first flow restrictor, said check valve being normally open and closing in response to liquid flowing from the passage into said main conduit, a second valve connected in parallel with said first flow restrictor and having a second flow restrictor in series therewith, and a third valve connected between the side of said first valve which is remote from said gas pressure chamber and said main conduit between said check valve and said first flow restrictor.
 1. An apparatus for filling containers, such as bottles, with liquid and comprising; a filling pipe adapted for insertion into the container from above to dispose the lower end of the pipe near the bottom of the container, a liquid supply chamber, means connecting said supply chamber to the upper end of said pipe, a chamber for gas under pressure, a gas relief chamber, a seal surrounding said pipe and adapted for sealingly engaging the mouth of a container when the pipe is inserted into the container, a first valve connected between said pressure gas chamber and the container side of said seal to communicate the gas pressure chamber with the container when the mouth of the container is engaged by said seal, a gas return passage leading from the lower end of said pipe upwardly and including a lateral opening near the top of the container, a main conduit connecting the upper end of said passage with said relief chamber and having a first flow restrictor therein, a check valve in said main conduit between said passage and said first restrictor, which opens away from said first flow restrictor, said check valve being normally open and closing in response to liquid flowing from the passage into said main conduit, a second valve connected in parallel with said first flow restrictor and having a second flow restrictor in series therewith, and a third valve connected between the side of said first valve which is remote from said gas pressure chamber and said main conduit between said check valve and said first flow restrictor.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first flow restrictor has a flow passage therethrough smaller in effective area than that through said second flow restrictor.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first, second, and third valves form a structural unit within which said valves are serially arranged.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first, second, and third valves are adapted for being opened and closed selectively.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means connecting said liquid supply chamber with said pipe comprises a liquid passage having a valve therein which is open when the container is supplied with gas under pressure from said gas pressure chamber and which closes in the absence of pressure in said container.
 6. In combination with a counter-pressure bottle filling machine; a liquid fill pipe adapted to be inserted into a bottle through the mouth thereof to a point near the bottom of the bottle, seal means to seal the inserted pipe to the mouth of the bottle, means for supplying gas under pressure tHrough said seal means to the bottle, means for supplying liquid to the bottle via said pipe, a main conduit leading from the bottle through said seal means, a first flow restrictor connecting said main conduit to the atmosphere, a second flow restrictor offering less resistance to fluid flow than said first restrictor and connected between said main conduit and the atmosphere, and an on-off valve in series with said second restrictor. 